Page 63 of A Mile of Ocean

The stables bustled with activity as the team gathered for their nightly patrol. Savannah’s expression was serious as she took in the gravity of the situation, letting go of Trent’s hand right before they reached the group.

Hawk stood tall and imposing, his gaze scanning each member as they arrived. His eyes settled on Savannah and Trent, a knowing glint flashing in his dark eyes.

“About time you two showed up,” Hawk grumbled, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Trent ignored the comment and turned businesslike. “Is everyone accounted for?”

Hawk nodded. “Everyone is in place and ready to go.”

“Any problems?”

“None. Birk and Beckett are in place. Everyone else is aware of their assignments just like before.”

Trent’s eyes landed on his grandmother. They traded heated looks before he angled back to Hawk. “Everyone knows to use the new radio frequency, right?”

“They do.”

“Then I guess we’re all set,” Trent said, raising his voice so anyone listening could hear. “Remember, we’re out here making certain the guy is dead, and there’s no partner to worry about. Our goal tonight is to make sure he acted alone. We make the circuit, tick off all the boxes, and don’t stay out beyond that.Duchess wants us out here tonight, believing he’s dead. It should be an early night,” Trent said, glowering at his grandmother.

The group dispersed with a few grumbles, setting off into the night, their horses’ hooves echoing in the quiet darkness as they rode toward their positions.

Savannah was on high alert as they rode out, scanning every shadow and listening for any out-of-place sounds. The chill in the air only seemed to heighten the tension coiling in her chest.

She couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, the hairs on her neck prickling with unease. Trent rode beside her, reassuringly, in the darkness, but even his steady presence couldn’t settle her nerves.

As if sensing her distress, he whispered, “What’s wrong?”

“He’s out there somewhere. I know it. I can feel it.”

“I’m sure he is. But try to play it down. We could even discuss how we’re sure he’s dead, about how everyone’s leaving tomorrow.”

“We could, huh? I’m not sure I’m that good at acting. Why are things so tense between you and your grandmother?”

“You caught that, did you?” He went into a detailed explanation about the scene in the study, giving her a play-by-play of the ugly confrontation.

“She locked you out of the safe? What is wrong with that woman? Doesn’t she realize you’re the glue holding this place together?”

“She’s obviously keeping something from us, something she’s either too afraid to tell us or ashamed to admit.”

“What do you suppose it is? Did she have a child out of wedlock? A previous husband? Did she kill someone?”

“It could be that simple. But I don’t think it is.”

“She tore up a letter that no one read but her,” Savannah emphasized. “That’s weird, Trent.”

“If it existed at all. A letter demanding a hefty sum of money sounds like extortion.”

“That implies someone did something wrong and doesn’t want the secret out there. Are you sure she didn’t kill anyone? Maybe your grandfather did.”

“When we catch this nutcase, you can ask him yourself. Revenge is a powerful motive. Colt said that he’s seen instances where people waited decades to get back at a perceived enemy.”

For the rest of the night, Savannah’s mind raced with possibilities as she pondered the mystery surrounding Duchess. The pieces of the puzzle seemed to be scattered all around them, waiting to be put together to reveal the truth that lay hidden just beneath the surface. As they continued their patrol, her shoulders ached from the mounting stress.

She couldn’t shake off the impending danger, a sense of foreboding that seemed to whisper through every tree. She gripped Giselle’s reins tightly, her eyes darting back and forth, scanning their surroundings for movement.

Hours passed with no sign of trouble.

They returned to the stables at midnight, meeting up with the others in the courtyard. It had been a tense but uneventful patrol until Duchess marched up to Trent in a huff. “I’m still the one in charge here. Remember that. Barrett might be gone, but you’re not the one giving orders.”

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